7/10

Since emerging back in the 1970s, two things have remained a constant for The Residents; their anonymity and their progressive approach to the alt-rock sound. Dabbling in this heady exploration of various genres and aesthetics over the last five decades, the band have maintained this innovative approach to their sound, one that has always left us wondering where they plan to take it next. And after plenty of material to revive themselves these last few years, they are back with their latest studio album 'Doctor Dark', a record that finds them in a brilliantly adventurous guise once again.

Described as "a modern opera sculpted from real-world horror and existential dread", 'Doctor Dark' quickly establishes itself as one of their more ambitious projects to date. Building upon their notoriety for broad and expansive world-building, the band return with this sprawling sixteen-track collection that shifts and morphs into all kinds of dynamic ideas as it plays. Never sticking too close to a particular direction or appeal, The Residents let the music carry them wherever it wants, making for this wildly unpredictable listen that can't be easily defined or pigeonholed.

While its lack of a cohesive vision can sometimes be a negative, 'Doctor Dark' embraces the chaos in such a refined way, it turns its unhinged nature into something interesting and intriguing throughout. Creating this wonderfully rich and vivid atmosphere as it plays, The Residents are certainly looking to push the boundaries of their sound further than ever with this one.